“Our focus was on Illinois State for the first week. Our focus was on Illinois State all the way through camp. For them to say that this is our biggest game of the year and this is what we focus on all the time, they better look at out schedule. We have big games all throughout.”

“It's tough when something that's been a part of your life is over. It's hard. (Sam) was the guy I saw right away. He's been my best friend and my best coach. So I wanted to go over and give him a hug.”